A 7-year-old boy playing with matches ignited a brush fire yesterday that destroyed the Old Dewey Bridge that is part of the Kokopelli Trail from Fruita to Moab. The suspension bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1916 and was the state’s longest bridge without supports in the waterway it crossed.
The Dewey Bridge was within sight of the new bridge on Utah Highway 128 so it won’t keep mountain bikers from riding the trail. It’s still a big bummer since it was a cool bridge and part of riding the Kokopelli Trail. I’ve driven by it many times and rode across it when I did the Kokopelli Trail lat year. I just saw it when I was to Moab a couple weeks ago.
Tags: Moab, mountain biking, Utah
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I can’t believe it. I loved that bridge.
It is a sad day for our family. My mother-in-law grew up at Dewey and her dad ran cows across that bridge for years. She has many memories of playing on that bridge.
I rembemer when I was a kid an my family drove across that bridge I went out there today I was shocked I hope the boy and parents get in trouble
And the parents should get in trouble? Yes, the boy needs to get a solid lesson on how wrong what he did was, but let’s keep a little perspective. Kids do things that aren’t what their parents teach them, and parents can’t have their eyes on the children at all times. When I was a kid, I did plenty of things that went against what my parents taught me; in fact, one of them involved playing with matches. Kids will be kids, and that doesn’t always mean bad parenthood.
Yes…and the parents get in trouble. They are responsible for the acts of their children. I know we are a “it’s no one’s fault” society, but there are still some in the world who believe in personal responsibility. When you choose to have a child, responsbility is one thing you “get” from the stork. Buck up.
I took photos the Monday after the Moab100. I love old bridges. Amazing what they accomplished way back when getting such a structure built way out in the boonies was a monumental task, but they did it – and with elegance.
I’m at lest glad for the experience. From now on, anyone else passing for the first time will only be able to imagine. i guess this is only one of the few things good about being old – I have first-hand experience with things that no longer exist. Sad that it’s gone, but glad I was there.
Hi,
My name is Michelle Fulcher. I’m a producer for a news-interview show called Colorado Matters on Colorado Public Radio and I’m doing a feature on the Dewey Bridge. I’d appreciate the chance to talk to somebody who remembers the bridge about your experiences. I’m on deadline, so I’d need a call as soon as possible. (Today is Monday, April 21, 2008).
Please e-mail me at mfulcher@cpr.org or call me on my work fone at 303-871-9191 ext. 454.
Thanks!
Michelle